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through the layers of superstition and bigotry, of intolerance and persecution, of damnation and eternal hell-fire. It takes on itself the qualities of these layers and imparts them to those that are received within its folds, in addition to the vices that are its own-such as proceed from the doctrine of vicarious atonement and original sin. And further it has brought to us its peculiar ideas of life, of marriage, of social relations and what not,
The ideas of life with which we were infused long before my country became the coveted land of invaders and which are still the underlying principles of our so-called superstitions were and are different from those of Christian nations. The idea of life with you, has always been, as one of your ablest scholars has put it, as that of a struggle for existence, a struggle for power and dominion, for wealth and enjoyment. These are the ideas which dominate the history of all nations whose history is known to you and naturally these would be their ideas as long as they overlook the eternity of duration, the infinity of space, and the omnipotence of soul and consequently they look upon this life was an arena for gladiatorial strife and combat or as a market for cheating and huckstering."
We in India, from highest potentate look
the lowest Pariah to the upon life here as a mere
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